When Zhang Yong opened his eyes again, the space around him was completely green.
The air particles carried high life energy, and in front of him was a pond of a luminous liquid emitting a soft glow, pulsating with vitality. It seemed as if the entire place was saturated with pure Qi energy, almost tangible
A Qi Spring!
"A Qi Spring..."Ling Xi whispered, staring intently. The force of attraction had deliberately pulled them to this place.
"It really is you!" A voice spoke from behind Zhang Yong and Ling Xi. The two turned simultaneously and looked at a majestic entity—a black dragon!
The black dragon stood towering amidst the flowing Qi springs. Its massive size made Zhang Yong and Ling Xi feel like ants before a colossal mountain. It was a Chinese-type dragon, without arms or limbs, just a serpent-like body.
Its body resembled a snake, covered in black scales that sparkled like gemstones under the green light emitted by the Qi springs
Its large golden eyes could see through the forms of the two. The dragon rushed towards them, circled around them, and stopped directly in front of Ling Xi. Immediately, it cried out joyfully, "Ling Xi! I've missed you so much!"
Ling Xi paused for a moment, a look of confusion and discomfort flashing across her face. The dragon smiled—or at least appeared to smile with its wide mouth, revealing a row of sharp, gleaming fangs. At the appearance of that smile, Ling Xi suddenly recognized him. "Long Long! You've grown since the last time I saw you."
The dragon spoke in a nostalgic tone: "Centuries have passed since I last saw you, Ling Xi." Its eyes paused briefly to examine her, then continued with a wide smile that revealed its bright white fangs: "But you don't seem to have changed much."
Ling Xi laughed warmly. "And you have grown up. I still remember when you were just a snake playing in the Master's hands. Thinking about it, what happened to him? You were the last one with him."
Upon hearing this, Long's expression changed slightly. "He... fell. I don't know what happened to him, but it's impossible for the Master to die." Long continued in a deep, sorrowful voice, "The Master was everything to me. But in that battle, everything was chaotic. Before he fell, he left behind words about an impending catastrophe, but he didn't finish his last words before he fell... And since then, I have become the guardian spirit of this spring and formed a pact with each successive sect leader of the Purple Star Sect until this day." Then he turned his head and looked at Zhang Yong. "Ling Xi, this young man here, who is he?"
Ling Xi glanced at Zhang Yong and waved her hand dismissively. "This is Zhang Yong, my blood contractor."
Long gave Zhang Yong a disdainful look. "Your situation must have been difficult to form a contract with this boy. Not only is his energy center broken, but his talent...!" Long continued staring, but his eyes widened in shock. "Wait! You taught him the Master's technique, and he possesses the Life and Death physique, and on top of that, Death Qi!"
Long looked at Zhang Yong curiously with his golden eyes. His massive body, coiled around the pond, moved slightly closer to Zhang Yong, making the air feel heavy on the latter. He released a breath that Zhang Yong could feel covering him like steam. "You resemble the Master, with the Death Qi,the physique , and the technique. You really do resemble him. I think I understand Ling Xi's fondness for you."
Immediately, Ling Xi bristled angrily, crossing her arms and glaring at Long with a childish frown. "What are you saying, you old snake? I'm not fond of him! He's just my contractor, nothing more. Don't put silly ideas in your head!"
But Long paid her no mind, continuing to observe Zhang Yong. He responded to her grumbling with a light chuckle. "You must have had quite some trouble dealing with her all this time, hehe."
Zhang Yong shook his hands helplessly. "What can I do but endure her? Although I have some issues of my own."
Long looked at Zhang Yong deeply. "You speak of the charge framed on you? Don't worry, I know everything that happened."
Zhang Yong looked at him in surprise. "So you know the real killer?"
Long nodded his head. "Yes, it's that girl named Lu Li. She possesses a dual soul and is being exploited by her master because of it."
Zhang Yong spat out in shock. "What?! Her? That's completely unexpected."
Long closed his eyes for a moment. "It's true. Since you are Ling Xi's contractor, I won't allow you to die."
Zhang Yong smiled calmly. "There's no need for you to do that. Wait until I stand before the Sect Leader, then intervene."
Ling Xi caught Zhang Yong's expression and was filled with curiosity. "Have you planned something for this moment?"
Zhang Yong sneered. "I will clear my name and get rid of my enemy at the same time. No need to worry."
...
In the Purple Star Sect.
Inside the ceremonial hall where Lu Li's celebration was held,Lu Li sat cross-legged before the stone carving left by Zhang Yong on the wall.
"This carving is no simple thing. Even after meditating for a while, I could only understand a little." Lu Li's brows furrowed from excessive thinking. There was definitely something missing.
Talent was the factor of the Lower Dantian.
The body was the factor of the Middle Dantian.
And the mind was the factor of the Upper Dantian.
Therefore,the talent for breakthroughs was one thing, and the talent for comprehension was another.
While one could give up the second,one could not give up the first and third.
Lu Li had always felt herself to be a genius, but she also felt these were her limits. However, she also felt that if she could comprehend this carving, she would leap to higher and farther levels.
At that moment, the door leading to the hall opened lightly, and a young man who seemed full of vitality entered, with sharp eyebrows, a high nose, light green hair, and a straight posture. It was Chen Biao, but there was a hidden trace in his eyes.
"Little sister, what are you doing here at this time?"
Lu Li didn't turn around immediately, but a complex look appeared on her face. Since the celebration, she had secluded herself in this place for two reasons: to study the carving first, and to avoid seeing Chen Biao second.
"I am studying this carving left by Brother Zhang Yong here," Lu Li replied without turning around.
When Chen Biao heard her say Zhang Yong's full name, he felt jealousy growing in his heart. 'So you two are already this close!'
Chen Biao approached her. "I advise little sister to give up on this gift. Who knows, it's something left by a murderer."
Lu Li stood up, and her eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing these words. "What does the senior Brother mean by that?"
Chen Biao smiled slightly. "Little sister may not know, since you've secluded yourself here, but that Zhang Yong was caught committing murder, and it has been discovered that he is the killer."
Immediately, Lu Li turned towards Chen Biao in disbelief. "Brother Zhang Yong is the killer! Impossible, Brother Zhang Yong doesn't seem like someone who would do this."
Seeing Lu Li's reaction, the jealousy in Chen Biao's heart grew even larger. Even when he entered, she didn't turn to face him, and now all it took was mentioning Zhang Yong's name!
His eyes were filled with anger like a rabid wolf, and he continuously advanced towards Lu Li.
Chen Biao frowned and decided to push things a step further. Suddenly, he grabbed her wrists forcefully and pinned them against the wall.
Lu Li looked into his eyes with shock and fear. "Brother Chen! What are you doing? Release me immediately!" she screamed, trying to escape, but his strength overpowered her.
Chen Biao smiled mockingly, threateningly leaning closer to her. "You've always ignored my feelings, and now all your attention is on that Zhang Yong? He's just a murderer!I am better than him! I am the one deserving you! And I'll make you mine!" His eyes were full of desire and lust.
"No!" Lu Li screamed, panting weakly, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. But suddenly...
Bam!
In an instant, a dark energy spread from her body—it was Death Qi! It pushed Chen Biao back with immense force. He fell to the ground but did not move again. He was covered in black flames, his face turned pale as all traces of life disappeared from his body.
Immediately, Lu Li was covered from head to toe in Death Qi, completely enveloping her body. Her eyes bloomed with a crimson brilliance while the whites of her eyes turned black.
Boom!
The wall exploded instantly, and debris flew everywhere as an entity appeared—it was the Sword Peak Elder.
He saw the scene before him—Lu Li covered in Death Qi and Chen Biao's corpse. He froze for a moment. He raised a purple stone fragment and activated it immediately. "Stop, my disciple! Suppress your second soul!" he shouted loudly.
When the stone fragment appeared before her eyes, a ringing sound erupted that shook her ears. Immediately, she covered her ears and screamed. Instantly, Death Qi erupted from her body, surging wildly towards the sky, piercing through the roof like a pillar of black energy.
Energies rushed from all directions towards the place, and the elders gathered around the hall in confusion.
Seeing them present, the Sword Peak Elder's expression changed. It was no longer possible to protect Lu Li; she had to be disposed of immediately before she exposed his secrets. He raised his sword high towards Lu Li. "Lu Li! I can't believe you were the killer all this time. You have wasted my efforts as your master!"
Blazing breaths erupted from the Heavenly Sword Peak Elder's sword
Intent of the Flaming Serpent Sword.
The temperature in the hall rose to terrifying levels, and Lu Li felt the Death Qi inside her surging madly. A giant fiery serpent shot towards Lu Li—it was a decisive strike.
Hiss!
The pillar of Death Qi rushing towards the sky suddenly shifted to form a dark, black dome around Lu Li to protect her.
Boom!
The sword intent collided with the Death Qi shield, generating a huge explosion that pushed everyone back.
The elders gathering around the hall immediately raised their defensive barriers, while dust and debris flew in all directions. This was a killing blow!
Lu Li fell to the ground from the impact. At the same time, the Sword Peak Elder rushed towards Lu Li to finish her off. At the moment his sword was about to strike her, the sword collided with a bare palm. It was the Sect Leader. "Sword Peak Elder, you seem in a hurry to kill her. You can't do that yet."
The Sword Peak Elder looked at the Sect Leader angrily. "This traitorous disciple has killed many innocent disciples. She must be executed."
The Sect Leader shook his head and smiled. "Don't worry, punishments will be applied, and the accused will be released."
...
Back in the underground cell, Zhang Yong returned to his original body. The moment he opened his eyes, who was in front of him?
Wu Ruoxian!
Zhang Yong cursed inwardly, secretly blaming his luck. "Ah, it's you. See something you like?" His voice carried a mocking tone.
Wu Ruoxian raised an eyebrow with a hint of sarcasm. "You seem very calm even though your life is in danger."
Zhang Yong was sitting on the ground, his heavy chains restricting his movement. He smiled calmly. "And what could I do if I weren't calm? It's useless. Still, I'm thankful to you for defending me and buying time."
Wu Ruoxian stepped forward and grabbed the steel prison bars. "No, I'm not even sure if you'll be saved. So I'm here to make you a suggestion: escape with me."
As her words sank into Zhang Yong's mind, he looked at her in disbelief. "What did you say?! Escape with you? Wait, what motivates you to escape with me in the first place?"
Her gaze softened as she kept her eyes fixed on his. "It's because I admire you as a person."
Zhang Yong immediately spat out, his stomach churning, and he felt nauseous. She said it! And with a straight face! 'Damn this old fox!'
If an ordinary person looked at the matter, everything these two had gone through together could be explained as a romantic relationship—doing things for the opposite sex without expecting anything in return. But it was deeper than that.
Every time Zhang Yong spoke with her, he felt she was the reason behind everything. And this was the truth.
To explain her plan , it should be explained from the beginning
When Wu Ruoxian discovered the corpse bearing Death Qi similar to that on Zhang Yong's body, she sent her pet—the little Shadow Squirrel, skilled in stealth—with that message and placed it in Zhang Yong's room. At the same time, she sent a message to the Law Enforcement Hall for them to meet simultaneously at the same moment beside the corpse. Thus, he was caught red-handed next to the corpse.
Although she didn't plan the series of murders in the sect, they were the perfect means for her plan. She adopted someone else's plan for her own scheme.
And all of that so Even if she were alone with Zhang Yong, it would have been a tragic love story if it had been with anyone else
Zhang Yong looked at Wu Ruoxian in shock. Perhaps if this were a different storyline, he would have been fooled.
"Sorry, but I can't escape with you. I still have three days left. Also, I trust both my sworn brother and my senior sister to get me out of here."
Wu Ruoxian looked at him with a bit of surprise and mocked inwardly. So he trusts them that much. "But what if that's a lie, and they aren't planning to return and save you?"
Nevertheless, Zhang Yong shook his head. "Even so, I choose to trust them."
Wu Ruoxian looked at him with an unreadable expression and released her grip on the bars. "You have already promised to do something for me. So I will return the night before the judgment. If they haven't returned by then, then escape with me."
Without another word, Wu Ruoxian turned and left the place.
Only when she had completely left could Zhang Yong finally relax. "Damn... she's definitely the cause. I can't think of any other possibility. Wait... she said if they don't return... Damn! She might really do it."
There was no doubt. With Wu Ruoxian's mentality, it wouldn't be strange for her to go and kill them to ensure they never came back at all. This was simply politics: The end justifies the means
Zhang Yong's thoughts were cut off by the sound of approaching footsteps. The prison warden walked towards Zhang Yong's cell and unexpectedly opened the door, surprising Zhang Yong. "You have been released by the Sect Leader. The real killer has been caught."